The lives of many children in Midlothian could be changed forever this week as Midlothian Council appeals to people to apply to adopt local children who need a permanent home with a new family.
Adoption is about offering a chance of a life long family for children who cannot live with their birth parents. It is a legal process which invests all parental rights and responsibilities for the child with the adoptive family and provides the child with the stability given by a lifelong commitment.
Currently there are 90 Midlothian children living in foster care and nearly 20% of these children are in need of adoptive placements. For some children we have already managed to identify adoptive homes but we are specifically seeking families for children over 5 years of age, or for sibling groups.
Councillor Jackie Aitchison, Cabinet Member with responsibility for social work said: “Midlothian Council is committed to increasing the numbers of children who can be placed for adoption by providing support to adoptive families to help them take on the care of children. Adoption can be rewarding and challenging and we are committed to provide help, guidance and support at each step of the way. We will often pay an adoption allowance to assist in providing an adoptive home for a child, if additional support is required.”
Applications are welcome from all sections of the community – single people and people in partnerships. People who can offer a child over five or sibling group a loving and supportive family for life are invited to contact the Family Placement Team at Dalkeith Social Work Centre, 11 St Andrew Street Dalkeith – telephone 0131 271 3860 to find out more.
Councillor Aitchison made a final plea saying: “Please think about whether you can offer a permanent secure home to a Midlothian child and pick up that phone now!”
